Homemade Tallow-Fried Donuts

Directions

Homemade donuts are a perfect way to celebrate National Donut Day on June 6th! This recipe features donuts fried in beef tallow, which gives them a wonderfully crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and moist. Tallow enhances the flavor and helps achieve that perfect golden-brown color that everyone loves. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the fryer or save some for later, these chocolate-glazed donuts are sure to be a hit on this special day!

1. Prepare the Chocolate Glaze:

   – In a medium bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.

   – Add the kosher salt and stir to combine.

   – Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth.

   – Transfer the glaze into a shallow baking dish so that it sits at least ½ inch thick.

2. Make the Donuts:

   – Warm the whole milk until it is tepid. Stir in the sugar and active dry yeast, then set aside for 5 minutes to activate.

   – Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture.

   – In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. After about 1 minute, a dough will begin to form.

   – Add the room temperature butter and knead the dough by hand or in an electric mixer with a dough hook for about 6 minutes, or until the dough is shiny and smooth.

   – Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise for about 2 hours.

3. Shape and Fry the Donuts:

   – Once the dough has proofed, transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out to a thickness of ½ to ¾ inch.

   – Use a donut cutter or a circle cutter to cut out the donuts. If you like, you can use a smaller cutter for the donut holes (cutting out the center is optional).

   – Cover the shaped donuts with a damp cloth and allow them to rise for another hour.

4. Fry the Donuts:

   – Heat the tallow (or lard) in a fryer or a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).

   – Fry the donuts for about 1 minute on each side, or until they are golden brown. Be careful not to overcrowd the fryer or pot.

   – After frying, immediately transfer the donuts into the prepared glaze and let them sit for about a minute.

   – Carefully remove the donuts from the glaze, invert them so the glazed side is facing up, and place them on a wire rack. This is the perfect time to add any additional toppings before the glaze sets.

5. Serve:

   – Serve the donuts warm and enjoy!